Sunday, September 21, 2008

Half Dome Yosemite - Barefoot

Had a great time this weekend traveling to Yosemite with some friends and climbing Half Dome...barefoot of course.

Had no idea what the hike would be like with nearly 5000 feet of elevation gain in about 8 miles, so I brought my FiveFingers along just in case. Didn't need them...the path was barefoot friendly.

One thing that was really an eye-opener is how many people attempt the climb so late in the season. There were 100s of folk climbing up! A permit is not required (except to enter the park). Next time I go, I want to run up.

On the way down, I stripped to just my running shorts and backpack. Nothing like the freedom of being able to move through nature with just the bare essentials.

One of the highlights of the trip was meeting up with fellow barefoot runner Noah Elhardt, 21, who is studying at UC Davis. We just happened to run into each other. How's that for a coincidence? Two barefoot climbers...should get people to start thinking that this is not so uncommon or impossible after all. I hope so.

I would strongly recommending climbing Half Dome. You won't soon forget the climb nor the views.

The following morning we had brunch at the Ahwahnee Hotel. It doesn't get better than that!